Developmental Barriers: Language and Cognitive Delays

Developmental Barriers

Language Barriers

• Difficulty understanding or using verbal or nonverbal language
• May be due to:
  • Hearing or speech impairments
  • Neurological disorders (e.g. aphasia)
  • Cultural or linguistic differences
  • Developmental delays (e.g. autism)

Impacts:

• Difficulty communicating needs and wants
• Social and emotional difficulties
• Delays in academic and cognitive development

Cognitive Delays

• Delays in processing, understanding, and using information
• May be due to:
  • Genetic conditions (e.g. Down syndrome)
  • Neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g. ADHD)
  • Brain injury or infection
  • Environmental factors (e.g. malnutrition)

Impacts:

• Delays in academic achievement
• Difficulty with problem-solving and critical thinking
• Increased risk of learning disabilities

Emotional Difficulties

• Difficulty regulating emotions and behaviors
• May be due to:
  • Genetic predisposition
  • Environmental factors (e.g. trauma, neglect)
  • Neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g. anxiety disorder)

Impacts:

• Difficulty forming and maintaining relationships
• Increased risk of mental health disorders
• Impaired social and emotional development

Sensory Impairments

• Difficulty perceiving or processing sensory information
• May be due to:
  • Hearing or vision impairments
  • Neurological disorders (e.g. autism)
  • Environmental factors (e.g. exposure to toxins)

Impacts:

• Difficulty with communication and social interaction
• Delays in cognitive and motor development
• Increased risk of anxiety and stress

Developmental Barriers

Language Barriers

• Difficulty understanding or using verbal/nonverbal language due to hearing/speech impairments, neurological disorders, cultural/linguistic differences, or developmental delays.
• Impact on communication: struggles to express needs and wants, leading to social and emotional difficulties.
• Impact on development: delays in academic and cognitive development.

Cognitive Delays

• Delays in processing, understanding, and using information due to genetic conditions, neurodevelopmental disorders, brain injury/infection, or environmental factors.
• Impact on learning: delays in academic achievement, difficulty with problem-solving and critical thinking, and increased risk of learning disabilities.

Emotional Difficulties

• Difficulty regulating emotions and behaviors due to genetic predisposition, environmental factors, or neurodevelopmental disorders.
• Impact on relationships: struggles to form and maintain relationships, increased risk of mental health disorders, and impaired social and emotional development.

Sensory Impairments

• Difficulty perceiving or processing sensory information due to hearing/vision impairments, neurological disorders, or environmental factors.
• Impact on development: struggles with communication and social interaction, delays in cognitive and motor development, and increased risk of anxiety and stress.